Jerry Waterson tips the scales at nearly 270 pounds, but one could hardly tell by just looking at him.

In fact, most people can’t believe he weighs that much. “That’s what everybody says,” smiled Waterson, from Waterford. “Most peoples’ bone density is negative one. Mine is a positive three. I’ve got dinosaur bones, that’s where all my weight is.”

And that’s where all his weight, dinosaur bones and all, will be Saturday when he makes his pro mixed martial arts debut at the Triple X Cagefighting (TXC) Legends 4 fight card at the Macomb Music Theatre in Mount Clemens.

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The card also features Vince Murdock, the former Waterford resident and current Bellator fighter who took up residence in California to work on his MMA skills. Murdock fought two years ago at The Palace of Auburn Hills, where he scored a first-round KO as an amateur.

Now, the countdown has begun for Waterson and Adrian Hadribeaj, who will enter the professional ranks after unbeaten amateur careers.

Waterson had an 8-0 record and Hadribeaj, coming off a victory at Joe Louis Arena last April, is 7-0.

“I’ve fought the best in the state and I won and me and Joe

(Battaglia) feel it was time to move up,” said Waterson, who also trains at Fisticuff Boxing in Keego Harbor. “And it’s nice to be paid to get punched in the head.”

Battaglia, a former MMA champion, manages FC Fitness Club and owns TXC, one of the state’s top MMA entities. “We’ve already sold out for this event,” said Battaglia, who expects around 2,500 spectators at Macomb Music Theatre.

“We’ve done more MMA shows than anybody in Michigan.”

Some 14 bouts, including three amateur fights, are scheduled on the card, which starts at 6 p.m. with amateur bouts. The pros start at 7 p.m., and that’s where Waterson and Hadribeaj will be, awaiting their turns in the cage.

“I usually get nervous before each fight,” said Waterson. “The butterflies start building ... it’s scary in there,” not because fighting’s tough, but “it’s the feeling of losing.”

Waterson, who used to tip the scales at more than 300 pounds, is a more refined fighter now. “Earlier, it was my size and strength ... I bulled ya,” he said. “But I’ve really been working on my boxing a lot. My boxing’s gotten a lot better.”

Hadribeaj, a native of Albania who also trains at FUSE MMA in Clinton Township, can’t wait to fight. “I’m so excited, I’ve been waiting for this moment ... it’s definitely the right time,” said the 23-year old former European karate champ.

Hadribeaj hinted at becoming a pro after a first round KO of Nick Whittal of Chatam, Ont. last April at Joe Louis Arena.

He came to the U.S. in search of the American Dream, which means a trip to the top of the MMA world.

He’s confident in his abilities. “I was more nervous in my first MMA fight,” said Hadribeaj, only 23 years old. “I am prepared and I feel ready, mentally and physically. I have all my tools.”